The world’s first Artis zeego (right picture) has now been installed at the Institute for Clinical Radiology at the University of Munich, Germany. This multi-axis, angiographic C-arm system for interventional radiology has unprecedented positioning flexibility, allowing for imaging with more precision and ease. The multiple axes create flexible fluoroscopic projections from head to toe. The isocenter is also flexible, allowing a flexible working height, which helps reduce fatigue in longer procedures. Additionally, because a larger volume is covered, the view of the patient’s anatomy is expanded. The Large Volume syngo® DynaCT application can so deliver images displaying entire organs, such as the liver.

Professor Maximilian Reiser, MD, Director of the Institute for Clincial Radiology at the Ludwig Maximilian University in Munich and acting representative at the Deutsche Röntengesellschaft (German Radiological Society), (left picture, bottom picture) is convinced that Artis zeego will improve treatment in part thanks to its increased flexibility, the improved viewing and the excellent 3D image quality. “Radiology mostly deals with patients who for some reason or another can not be operated on,” explains Professor Reiser, “either because the disease has already progressed too far or the vital anatomical structures are at risk, or the patient’s general condition simply won’t allow open surgery.” In such cases, it is important to have good system flexibility. Artis zeego offers care providers more treatment opportunities and eases treatment for the patients. Moreover, the Artis zeego provides advantages for obese patients, where the larger filed of view can be helpful.

The C-arm Artis zeego also provides the possibility that image-guided tumor treatment could become an alternative to surgery. For liver tumors radio-embolisation is the treatment of choice according to Professor Reiser. “When we have a three dimensional view of the vessels,” says the radiologist, “We can see what path we’re on and how the tumor is being fed. We can then target precisely those vessels that are vital to the survival of the tumor.” From that perspective, Artis zeego has clear advantages, for it provides images also in portrait format. With this feature, the entire liver or lumbar vertebrate can be displayed. Reiser and his colleagues are testing this advantages with, among other things, vertebroplasties, “We use (this minimally invasive procedure) to stabilize osteoporotic and neoplastic vertebral fractures and reduce bone pain. Tumor patients are often pain free afterwards, are able to stand and undergo chemotherapy.”